Largest Orange County Stimulus Project Breaks Ground

SR-91 project will add one eastbound between the SR-241 and SR-71
ORANGE – Work began today on the $59.5 million Riverside Freeway (SR-91) Lane Addition Project, Orange County’s largest infrastructure improvement project funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 .
The nearly 6-mile project will add an eastbound lane on SR-91 between the Foothill Toll Road (SR-241) and the Chino Valley Freeway (SR-71) providing long-term congestion relief on one of Southern California’s most congested freeways and creating nearly 900 jobs in a region hit hard by the economic recession.
"Using federal stimulus dollars to fast track this project means creating jobs today and bringing relief to drivers for decades to come," said Orange County Transportation Authority Chairman Peter Buffa. "This partnership between local, state and federal agencies will greatly benefit commuters on this critical link between Orange County and the Inland Empire."
When opened in late 2010, the commuters will benefit from a new eastbound lane, widened bridges and new retaining walls to reduce traffic noise.
Construction of the lane addition project is funded with $47.9 million in ARRA dollars. Pre-construction work -- including environmental, design and engineering -- was funded with $5 million from the Riverside County Transportation Commission and the Orange County Transportation Authority contributed $6.6 million in 91 Express Lanes toll revenue.
“State Route 91 acts as the connecting thread that unites the people and economies of Riverside and Orange counties. The new eastbound lane will be a welcome improvement to our shared transportation system and the Riverside County Transportation Commission is honored to be part of a partnership with Caltrans and the
Orange County Transportation Authority to make it possible,” said Bob Magee, RCTC Chairman and mayor of Lake Elsinore.
This project is the first in a series of improvements planned for SR-91. Future improvements include adding a new lane in each direction from the Costa Mesa Freeway (SR-55) to SR-241.
For construction alerts on the project, the public can call the construction hotline at (800) 724-0353 or follow the project on Twitter @91fwy.
“This project was ready to move forward when the funding for construction dried up. If it wasn’t for the federal funds through the stimulus program, this project would not be moving forward today,” said OCTA Board Member Curt Pringle at the groundbreaking event. “This is a huge benefit to our entire community. This investment will have a huge impact on many lives.”